Angina
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that
occurs when your heart isn't getting enough oxygen because of
reduced blood flow to the heart.
It is usually a symptom of coronary
heart disease.
Blood enters the heart through two blood
vessels. These are known as the coronary arteries and they supply
the heart muscle with the blood, oxygen and nutrients it needs to
keep beating. Normally, the coronary arteries deliver enough blood
so that the heart muscle gets the amount of oxygen it needs to work
properly. However, in coronary heart disease these arteries become
narrowed which reduces the amount of blood that can pass through
them.
This means that blood can't get to the heart muscle fast
enough and the heart complains with pain. This pain is known as
angina. It is more likely to occur during exertion (for example,
walking or climbing stairs) when the heart muscle needs more blood
and oxygen as it works harder.
An episode of angina is not a heart attack. Angina is due to a
temporary reduction in the flow of blood to part of the heart
muscle and does not damage the heart itself. A heart attack occurs
when the blood supply to part of the heart is cut off and results
in permanent damage to the heart muscle.
If you are referred to us with angina, or
suspected angina, you will be treated by the team in the Cardiology
Department.
What might the treatment involve?
The main aims of treatment are:
- to ease pain quickly if it occurs
- to prevent angina pains as much as possible
- to limit further atheroma or plaques (deposits of fatty
substances) from forming in the coronary arteries. This prevents or
delays the worsening of the condition
- to reduce the risk of having a heart attack.
Medicines may be given for the immediate relief of pain,
long-term prevention of angina and to prevent worsening of coronary
artery disease.
Surgery may be recommended for severe angina, if medicines fail
to control symptoms or if one or more coronary arteries are very
narrow
Related wards and clinics
The Cardiology team operates in clinics in:
- Reading
- Wallingford
- Newbury
- Henley
If you need to stay in hospital you will be admitted
to:
Useful Contacts
Operations Manager:
Sharon Herring
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
London Road
Reading
RG1 5AN
0118 322 5111